On this, the first day of a two-day visit to Hungary, the Russian president reminded journalists that his predecessor, Boris Yeltsin, had come to Hungary in 1992 and condemned the Soviet role in crushing the revolt.

Putin said that modern Russia is not the Soviet Union, but it still feels "some sort of moral responsibility for these events." Putin said the past must not be forgotten, even while looking to the future.

"Today's modern Russia is not the same as the Soviet Union used to be. I have to say, sincerely, that we all feel in our souls the moral responsibility for those events."

During his visit, Putin will hold talks with Hungarian President Laszlo Solyom, Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany and other officials.

While energy issues are expected to dominate talks, the main event is the formal return of a trove of priceless, centuries-old books seized by the Soviet Army during World War II and taken to Russia.

(AP)

World War II: 60 Years On

A microsite devoted to RFE/RL's coverage of the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II in May 2005.